Filling box



Oct. 31, 1933.

A. T. WAKEFIELD 1,933,233

FILLING BOX Original Filed June 23, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l @m. 31, 1933. A WAKEFlELD 11 933 233 I FILLING BOX Original Filed June 23, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR A/eTHu/e 1 W4 KEF/E L. 0

ATTORNEYS V UNITED STA Patented Oct 31, 1933 FILLING BOX v ,ArthurT. Wakefield, Baltimore, Md.

2 Claims.

This invention relates to filling boxes and their closures such as are used in connection with underground storage and dispensing tanks for liquids. An example of the type isto be found in my United States Letters Patent, Number 1,788,786, dated January 13, 1931. H

"The invention, in its preferred form, has as its primary object the provision of a sealing closure for the filling box adapted to be sealed in closed position to prevent unauthorized filling of the tank, and the further provision of a supplement ary closure adapted, when in closed position, to lie flush with the mouth of the filling box and completely cover the sealed closure to prevent tampering with the latter. a

Another object of the invention resides in the construction of the. co-operatingparts in such manner thatthe closures, when applied, maybe tightened, in closing position, to prevent the ad:

ventitious entrance of'dirtor water. I I A further object of the invention is to so construct the closures that they may only be operated by means of a certain definite tool ,of particu lar form and. construction. v

Other objects of the invention willbecome ap parent as the detailed description thereof proceeds. 1

In the drawings; Figure 1 is a vertical sectional .view of a filling box and closures constructed in accordance with and embodying the principles of this invention; I

Figure 2 isa similar view on the line 22 of Figure land at a right angle to the-showing in Figure 1; I r

Figure '3 is a top plan view of the device; Figure 4 is a transverse sectional plan view on the line 4- 1 of Figure 1; v I Figure 5 is a transverse sectional the line 55 of Figure 1; v Figure 6 is an inverted transverse sectional plan view on the line 6-,6 of Figure 1; I Figure 7 is a side elevation of the sealing cloplan view on sure such as is used in connectionwith the 'form r box and closure showing a modified and simpler embodiment of the invention;

Figure 9 is a similar view on the line 99 of Figure 8, and at a right angle to the showing in Figure 8;

its upper or larger end flush best shown in Figure 3.

Figure 10 is a side elevation of the tool of particular'form'and construction necessary to engage the closure members for application to the filling box or removal therefrom; and

Figure 11 isan enlarged end view of the closure engaging and operating head of such ,tool. I

Referring, in the first instance, to the form of the invention illustrated inFigures 1 to 7 of the drawings, there is shown a filling box 1 or roughly conical contour into the lower or smaller end of; which is screwed the upper end of apipe 2 which leads to a buried storage tank (not shown) of any kind. This filling box 1 isem bedded inthe ground, or in concrete, and has v with the surrounding ground or concrete.

The box 1 is provided, below its mouth, with an inwardly projecting shoulder 3 adaptedffor the support of a leather or rubber ring or gasket 4 upon which, in turn,- rests the under faceof a. circular cover or closure 5.

6 transversed, from side to side, by a dovetail 7, the upper or wider portion of which is flush with the upper face of the closure, and which is wider at one end than it is at the other, as is Depending, from the center of the dished portion 6 of the closure is a threaded stem" 8 to the lower portion of which is screwed a nut 9, the latter being maintained in adjustedpositio'n thereon by means of a cotter pin 10. o

. Threadedly engaged by the stem 8, between its upper connection with the dished portion of the closure and the nut 9, is the hub of a cross bar 11, the arms of which extend almost to the inner face of the box 1 and have, their ends adaptedto co-act with a pair of. inwardly projecting ribs 12 formed upon the inner face of the box 1 immediately below the shoulder 3. Each of these ribs 12 extend almost half way around the box 1, there being diametrically opposite gapsj 13 (Figure 4) between their adjacent ends. One end of each rib 12 is provided with a downturnedtoe 14. I U

Downwardly below the parts just recited the box 1 is again reduced in diameter to form a throat 15; and, below this throat is an inwardly projecting shoulder 16 adapted for the reception of a leather or rubberring or gasket ,17 upon which, in turn, rests the under face of a circular inner or sealing closure 18. v

Centrally of this closure 18, as in the case of the outer cap 5, is a dished portion 19 with transverse dove tail'20, the upper face of the latter being flush with the upper face of the closure and it, also, being wider at one end than at the other.

Adjacent the edge of the closure 18 and on the upper face thereof are a pair of ears 21 between which is pivotally mounted, as at 22, a tongue 23 of sufficient length to project outwardly beyond the edge of the closure and rest upon the upper surface of the narrowed throat 15 of the box 1, as is best shown in Figures 1 and 5.

The ears 21 and tongue 23 are provided with apertures 24 so positioned as to be in line when the tongue 23 is in projected or looking position.

When so positioned, a wire 25 is threaded through the three apertures and its ends secured by a lead or similar seal 26.

Inwardly projecting from the inner face of the box 1 above the contracted portion 15 thereof are a pair of oppositely disposed vertical ribs 27 adapted to be struck .by the projecting por-' tion of the tongue 23 should the closure 18 be turned about uponits seat while the tongue is so located. Depending from the lower faceof the closure 18 are a pair of oppositely disposed legs 28 each having .at its lower end an outturnedtoe 29.

Inwardly projecting from the inner face of the box 1 below the shoulder 16 area pair of oppositely disposed ribs 30 eachhaving a camlike lower face and being of such length that there are diametrically opposite gaps 31. between their adjacent ends. v

With the various parts in the positions illustrated in Figures 1 to o inclusive, the closures are in place and locked. In order to open the fillingbox, the closures must be removed and such removal is effected by employing the special tool shown in Figures .10 and 11.

This tool comprises a shank 32 having an operating head 33 which is substantially 'in the form of a ball'and has. in its lower face, a transverse dove tail slot 34 'which' is wider at one end than it is at the other. The opposite end of the shank 32 is preferably provided with a handle 350i any desired shape.

To open the filling box, the dovetail 7 of the cap or closure 5 is gripped by the slotted head 33 of the operating tool and the closure is turned about in a counter clockwise direction. The

screw stem 8 of the closure is thus unscrewed through the hub of the cross bar 11 and the latter travels downwardly upon the stem until it is contacted by the upper face of the nut 9. whereupon its downwardly movement ceases and it turns with the closure until its ends are brought into registry with the gaps 13 between the ends of the ribs 12. The entire closure structure may then be lifted clear from the box 1.

The sealed wire 25 of the inner closure structure is then cut and the wire and seal removed.

The tongue 23 ,is lifted inwardly to the position shown in Figure '7 so that the closure may be turned about without the tongue striking against either of the ribs 27. v

' The special tool is then inserted into the box downwardly through the gaps 31.

and its head engaged with the dove tail 20 of the closure 18. The closure is turned about, in a counter clockwise direction, until the toes 29 of the legs 28 are brought into line with the gaps 31 between the ends of the ribs 30. The closure may then be lifted clear.

After the tank has been filled and it is desired to again close and seal the same, the process is reversed. I r e The closure structure 18 is inserted to proper position upon its seat, the toes 29 being passed is turned, by means of the tool, in a clockwise direction until the toes 29 join under thecam-like under faces of the ribs 30 drawing the closure tightly down upon its seat. The tongue 23 is then thrown to its projected position, a new wire is threaded through the. alined apertures 24 and its ends are sealed.

The closure 5 is then placed upon its seat, the ends of'the crossbar 11 being passeddownwardly through the gaps 13, between the ends of the ribs 12' This closure is'then turned, by the tool, in a clockwise direction. On its first turn the ends of i the crossbar 11 strike againstthe depending toes 14 at the ends of the ribs 12 and further turning movement of the crossbar is prevented. fContinued turning of the closure,structurefcaused the screw stem 8 to, be screwed through the hub of the crossbar and the latter, consequently, rides up on the stem until its ends-strike against the lower facesof the ribs 12 whereupon theclosure structure. is pulledtightly against vi ts seat.

In Figures 8 and 9, there is illustrated a simplified form of the invention wherein the inner closure and all attendant parts are" eliminated, only the cap or outerfclosurebeing employed.

The; closure tot This structure, being identical with thatprep .2 1. A casing having a shoulder formed therein, 1 5

a closure cap onsaid shoulder said cap having a tongue formed thereon which ,is dove tail both lengthwise and transversely, and tool havinga corresponding dove tail slot adapted to engage said tongue for locking the tool detachably to the cap; I s

2. A casing having a series of stepped shoulders formed therein, closure. plates seated on said shoulders, each plate having a tongue formed therein, said tongue being dove tail both lengthwise and in cross section, and a toolhaving a corresponding dove tail groove in one end for engaging either of said tongues to lock the tool detachably to either of said plates.

' ARTHUR T. WAKEFIELD. 

